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date: 1 December 2009

embargo: for immediate release

TUC/UNIONLEARN SUCCESS WITH HIGHER LEVEL SKILLS INITIATIVE

A trade union-led initiative to improve higher level skills in the North East has exceeded its targets of getting adults on to foundation degree courses or their equivalent.

As a region, the North East needs to strengthen its economy to align itself with other parts of the UK and driving up higher level skills is recognised as an important part of achieving that goal. The Higher Level Skills Project, which was started in October 2007 by unionlearn with the Northern TUC, is the first time the trade unions in the region have engaged potential learners in the workplace with higher level skills opportunities.

Targets set at the outset of the project aimed to promote higher skills to 1200 potential learners and see 65 learners progress to higher learning. Results of a recent evaluation exercise commissioned by unionlearn found that over the last two years, the project engaged with 1213 potential learners and 144 adults have signed up for higher level learning including foundation degree courses , more than double the original target. In addition, over 200 adults also received advice and guidance on training and development.

Another key role of the project was to raise awareness with regional employers about the benefits of union learning and in particularly leadership and management skills. Targets were again more than doubled with 119 employers getting involved from an original target of only 46; many of those employers are also contributing towards the cost of course fees for their employees.

Elizabeth Killoran, unionlearn Regional Manager, said: 'This has been a ground breaking project as traditionally the trade unions in this region have focused around lower level qualifications and skills such as Skills for Life. The Higher Level Skills Project completes the circle so that we are tackling all skill areas and enabling learners to progress through to leadership and management skills among others. This is good news for those individuals, for businesses in the North East and the Regional society on the whole.

'We're delighted that this project has proved so successful and to the support and funding that's been received from regional employers who recognise the benefit of up skilling their workforce. Due to that success we hope to continue this level of support for union members in the future.'

The Higher Level Skills Project was evaluated by Ekosgen and was completed in September 2009, marking the end of the first two years of the Project.

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:Elizabeth Killoran T: 0191 232 3175; M: 07766250879 E: ekilloran@tuc.org.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 1 Dec 2009